Star basketball player Breanna Stewart resumes training with her team, Liberty, providing a potential end-of-season impact.
Atlanta Dream Overtakes New York Liberty in WNBA Standings
In a significant shift in the WNBA standings, the Atlanta Dream has surpassed the New York Liberty. This change comes as the Liberty's grip on the upper tier of the league has loosened, with their current record standing at 21-13.
The catalyst for this change is the return of two-time MVP Breanna Stewart. Stewart, who has career averages of 20.6 points and 8.5 rebounds per contest, has returned to full practice for the first time since her right knee injury in late July. Her potential return dates are Aug. 25 against the Connecticut Sun or Aug. 28 against the Washington Mystics.
Stewart's return offers hope for the Liberty's championship defense, especially as they prepare to face the Minnesota Lynx, who have maintained control of first place in the WNBA. The late-August matchups circled as realistic comeback opportunities for Stewart are crucial for the Liberty's title defense.
Head coach Sandy Brondello has emphasized a cautious approach to Stewart's return to the game, recognizing the importance of integrating her back into the rotation as they prepare to defend their 2024 title. In Stewart's absence, players like Sabrina Ionescu, Emma Meesseman, and Jonquel Jones have stepped up to keep the team competitive.
However, the Liberty has struggled in Stewart's absence, losing seven of their past 11 contests. Despite this, the team remains optimistic about their chances with Stewart's impending return. Stewart currently ranks ninth in the WNBA in scoring with 18.3 points per game, despite missing 10 games. Her averages also include 6.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks while shooting 46.9 percent from the field.
Meanwhile, the Liberty staff is keeping a close eye on Nyara Sabally, who could return to the team in August 2023. The exact date of her return has not been announced yet.
Stewart's determination to return to the lineup before her 31st birthday on Aug. 27 is evident. Her return would allow her to ramp up before the playoffs and fulfill her self-imposed timeline. The Liberty will face Minnesota for the fourth and final time this regular season without Stewart.
The injury occurred against the Los Angeles Sparks on July 26, a game that the New York Liberty lost. Stewart's return could potentially turn the tide for the team as they aim to regain their position at the top of the WNBA standings. The Liberty and their fans eagerly await Stewart's return to the court.
